Coming off of a program-record seventh draw of the season against in-state rival Purdue, Indiana women’s soccer closes out its 2022 home slate with a tilt against Maryland.
Both schools come into Thursday’s match already eliminated from Big Ten Tournament contention. Indiana is 2-6-7 overall and 0-6-2 in conference play at the bottom of the Big Ten with 2 points. Maryland is 2-8-5 overall and 1-7 in the Big Ten with 1 point and one place ahead of Indiana in the table.
Indiana’s 2-2 draw against Purdue marked the first time Indiana scored goals in over a year against a Big Ten opponent. Hoosier freshman midfielder Olivia Smith earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors after her performance against the Boilermakers on Sunday, where she scored her first collegiate goal.
[Related: Olivia Smith earns Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors for Indiana women’s soccer]
In its last game, Maryland lost 2-1 to Minnesota on Sunday, trailing twice despite finding the game-tying goal in the 28th minute courtesy of graduate forward Alyssa Poarch. The forward’s 6 points are tied for second on the team, alongside graduate defender Malikae Dayes. Senior forward Alina Stahl leads the team with 10 points.
Maryland is coached by Meghan Ryan Nemzer, who was a Rutgers assistant coach last year, leading the Scarlet Knights to the Big Ten regular season title with a perfect 10-0 record in conference play.
The Terrapins have lost seven straight after beating Michigan 1-0 to open up conference play, including a 7-0 defeat to No. 20 Ohio State. Indiana was on a six-game losing streak until earning a point in the draw against Purdue.
Indiana is 3-1-4 against Maryland all-time. The only Maryland win came in the first-ever matchup between the two schools back in October 1994 — a 2-0 victory in Bloomington.
First kick from Bill Armstrong Stadium is at 7 p.m. Thursday. The match will be streamed on Big Ten Plus, and fans are encouraged to wear pink for breast cancer awareness.
